2 year check health visitors

[Louise20231]

Hi everyone,
my daughter is currently showing signs of ASD and we have history of this documented with the health visitors who came out to see her at 18 months. They said they’d be back out to do her 2 year check questionnaire and discuss concerns further. I know my daughter is delayed in speech and other areas of her development, and looking at the questionnaire I know she doesn’t do half of the questions that it asks. Speech and language is next to none. Just wondered how the health visitors would deal with this following her 2 year check? Are they judgemental or do they support? Any experiences?

My daughter scored low in all areas and zero for communication and I raised concerns about ASD.

The HV wasn’t too sure about ASD but her more experienced colleague came to see us at home a month later and agreed to refer us to NHS speech and language therapy (still on the waiting list) and then a month after that she referred us to portage.

Portage visits started a few months ago and take place twice a month to help my DD build her play skills but they will stop soon as she is starting nursery.

I took a list of my concerns to the GP a few months after the 2 year check and they agreed to refer to paediatrician- so you could also try this as it can be a long wait to be seen so best to get the ball rolling.

Overall I have found everyone supportive so far and not judgemental. Not sure if your DD goes to nursery but portage were keen for me to get my DD back in to nursery as she was at home with me during my maternity leave with DD2.

If you can afford it, look into private speech and language therapy. We started this recently and I wish we had been able to start it sooner. My DD is almost 3.

Hi @Ponche thank you for your reply!
my daughter is due to start nursery in January, so not sure if we’d be lucky enough to get portage! In my area it’s self refer for SALT so she has an appointment with them in February 2024. (A long wait unfortunately)
I suppose I’m just worried about what they’ll say. She has many ASD traits, some of which have improved since 18months but some which have got worst. Do you know what I can expect from a peadriatician appointment should the GP refer us that way?

many thanks!

Your DD’s behaviours/ASD traits are not a reflection of your parenting, so try not to worry about what they will say. For a long time, I felt guilty about my DD’s speech delay but have now accepted it’s not our fault.

I believe a paediatrician will see you/DD and if they feel an autism assessment is needed, they will refer for that so there will be another (long) wait for that.

I think the autism assessment is made up of a few appointments/sessions and involves a speech and language therapist, occupational therapist, paediatrician etc.

Look up ‘intensive interaction’ - our S&L therapist has us do this.

Also try and get the More Than Words book by Fern Sussman - you can get the latest version on Amazon but here is a PDF of the first chapter of an older version. When I read this chapter so much of it made sense and really resonated with me. https://courses.washington.edu/sop/ArticLang/MoreThanWordsChap1.PDF

Don’t lose hope, your DD is still young and will progress in her own way in her own time. The behaviours and traits will change over time, some things increase and some decrease and she may start doing things she didn’t before but just take each day as it comes. My DD is still non-verbal but has made a lot of progress, especially in the last 6 months.

@Ponche thank you so much, that’s very reassuring! It’s my first child so I’m just clueless really what to expect. Really find here helps with any queries I have! I will definitely take a look at the things you’ve suggested and implement them where possible! Thank you again!
suppose it’s just a wait game from here!

Hiya

my daughter is also the same. She needs support with almost everything and seems extremely scared to try new things. The nursery has done a referral for speech but I also feel there are allot of other areas she support with.

what should I do please?

she didnt get any check up when she turned 2
shes currently 2 and 2months

should I reach out to the paediatrician aswell

Are you in the UK @TheSunnyGreyBee?

@TheSunnyGreyBee my son is 5.5 now and still awaiting his autism assessment - we have now been able to access right to choose, so hopefully it will be done this summer.

We originally flagged things in his 2.5 HV review and we had a follow up when he was 3. She referred him to the early years forum for support at nursery and we referenced this when we spoke to the GP, who was the one to refer him to childrens autism. Due to his age, they bounced us to paediatrics, but after 2 appointments with them, they referred back to childrens autism. His referral was accepted last year and if we hadn't done right to choose last month, we'd be waiting until next year for his assessment with childrens autism in our area.

The wait is painful, so for practical support I'd recommend -

Speaking to nursery to get them on board with support

Call GP and ask separately for speech and language therapy/support. They may also be able to sign post other services that might be useful.

Ehcps aren't usually granted in early years (in my experience) but you can look into the process and prepare/research for school, later down the line.

Local FB groups for Sen parents can be a wealth of information and support too.